Country Profile
From The Report: Kenya 2018
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As a market-based economy with a supportive domestic policy environment, Kenya has been dubbed the commercial “gateway” to East Africa. With Mombasa acting as a trade platform with one of the busiest ports in the region, and the capital Nairobi the country’s political and financial centre, the country has quickly recovered in the aftermath of the 2007 financial crisis and has been able to sustain strong annual growth levels of over 5%. Following the electoral victory of President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017, the Big Four agenda, a list of priority initiatives and projects for his second term of government running until 2022, was announced. Those programmes are organised around four pillars: food and nutritional security; affordable housing; manufacturing; and universal health care. This chapter contains interviews with President Uhuru Kenyatta; Monica Juma, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Libérat Mfumukeko, Secretary-General, EAC; and Liam Fox, UK Secretary of State for International Trade.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Regional gateway: Role as key regional political and economic player deepens
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As the largest economy in the EAC and COMESA in terms of GDP, Kenya has positioned itself as a major economic power in the region and across sub-Saharan Africa. Traditionally a largely agrarian economy, Kenya has quickly entrenched its position as a manufacturing, logistical and technology hub in the region. As a market-based economy with a supportive domestic policy environment, Kenya has been dubbed the commercial “gateway” to East Africa. With Mombasa acting as a trade platform with one of…

Interview

Discipline and accountability: President Uhuru Kenyatta, on the Big Four agenda, supporting youth development and regional relations
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Interview :Uhuru Kenyatta What are the key parts of the Big Four agenda? UHURU KENYATTA: Once we had time to reflect on our conversations with Kenyans, it became clear that we needed a new strategy to meet the expectations of our citizens. And so the Big Four agenda – our plan to transform our manufacturing, housing, agriculture and health care sectors – was born. We have set a series of goals in each of these four pillars. Universal health coverage, for instance, means that we expect…

Overview

Hopeful prospects: Extensive reforms widely viewed as stabilising the country’s legal and political climate
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Kenya’s political system rests heavily on the executive branch of the government, with the president holding significant influence on the configuration and operation of the state. The 2010 constitutional reform has ushered in a number of reforms that have been widely regarded as a positive step towards a more equitable political system. However, discrepancies and clashes experienced during the 2017 elections came as a signal of a deeper socio-political divide. Constitution The configuration of…

Analysis

Community efforts: The EAC’s efforts to establish both political and monetary federations break new ground
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As the founding member of both the EAC and COMESA, two economic blocs accounting for approximately 145m and 400m people, respectively, Kenya has historically played an important role in politics and integration efforts in the region. As part of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP), exports from Kenya benefit from a range of duty reductions when entering the European market. In addition, in September 2017 Kenya and Rwanda relaunched efforts to conclude a long-awaited trade agreement…

Interview

Shared fortunes: Monica Juma, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, on goals for regional integration, security and foreign policy
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Interview :Monica Juma How is the country engaged in pursuing peace and security in East Africa? MONICA JUMA: Peace and security are at the centre of Kenya’s foreign policy. Since independence, we have contributed to more than 44 international peacekeeping missions around the world. We are an active contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia and are engaged in the search for peace in South Sudan. Stability in every East African state is a key objective of our foreign policy because…

Interview

Common aim, common gain: Libérat Mfumukeko, Secretary-General, EAC, on the upsides of regional integration
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Interview :Libérat Mfumukeko Where are infrastructure developments most needed to foster regional industrialisation? LIBÉRAT MFUMUKEKO: While some progress has been achieved in the promotion and maintenance of industrial development in the EAC, there are challenges that still must be overcome, especially in terms of energy supply and transportation. The region possesses natural resources that remain inaccessible, owing to shortcomings in terms of means. We can provide incentives to domestic…

Overview

Global village: Medium-term prospects suggest globalisation is set to continue for the foreseeable future – Kenya
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Decades of growth in trade and foreign investment have seen the economies of the world become more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. The production of goods and, increasingly, the provision of services has become fractured across borders as corporations create and integrate into regional and global value chains – a process reinforced by international trade and investment regimes. On aggregate, advanced economies have benefitted from these developments, while emerging markets have become the main drivers of growth around the world. However, recent years have seen a new scepticism towards globalisation emerge, alongside more…

Interview

Strong ties: Liam Fox, UK Secretary of State for International Trade, on developing bilateral trade opportunities in Africa
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Interview :Liam Fox What makes Kenya a strong investment destination? LIAM FOX: The UK and Kenya have a long, shared history, and enjoy strong ties between governments, businesses and people. These links are deepened by the 30,000 British nationals who live in Kenya, the 150,000 British tourists who visit each year and the 200,000 people of Kenyan origin living in the UK. Kenya is a leading member of the Commonwealth and a key ally. In commerce Britain and Kenya share a uniquely strong bond;…